Transportation system



J. CONLQN. TRANSPORTAVION SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 3o. 191s.

Nw @Iflr I NNIv QNII.

GMM/nag J. CONLUN.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED ocT. so. 1918.

1,342,531. PatentedJun@ 8,1920;

wmylmd/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES CONLON, F PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLN'D.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

lication.

The object of the invention is to provide a transportation system inkwhich a car travels through a tubular construction which may be beneaththe surface of the ground or may be constructed above the surface and beoperated as an elevated railway.

A further object is to provide a structure of the type indicated throughwhich. the cars are designed to travel under fluid pressure, thepressure being supplied in the form of compressed air or steam,whichever may be desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of elementshereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 is a verticall longitudinal section of a portion of theapparatus constituting my invention, the car being shown,

in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1, portions beingbroken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic transverse section and part elevation,indicating the motive power plant and its relation to the tubular way ortunnel.

In carrying out my invention I build a tubular construction comprisingside members 1() and 12 and upper and lower walls 13 and 14 providing abore which may be square or rectangular in cross section, the entireconstruction 'being rectangular in cross section if desired.

A plurality of inlets 16 are provided at the required intervals, theseinlets being in the top and bottom walls if desired, and havingconnection with inlet ducts 1-7 through which fluid is supplied underpressure for the purpose of propelling the cars,

-one of which is shown conventionally and is designated 20. These carsmay be of suitable construction and may be provided with means foreffecting substantially close contact with the walls of the bore,without producing unnecessary friction. purpose of supplying thepropelling fluid Specification of Letters Patent.

For the Patented J une 8, 1920.

Application filed October 30, 1918. ySerial No. 260,328.

the inlet ducts 17 are connected with power plants along the line of thesystem at suitable intervals, these plants including boilers 25, steamengines 26 and air compressors 27, andtanks 28 (see Fig. 3), so that thepropelling fluid may be supplied in such form as may be desired undergiven conditions.

Gates or valves 18 may be located at frequent intervals, these valvesopening in a -given direction under impact when the car approaches, sothat the propelling fluid will exert its lnfluence within a ,closedchamber comprismg that section of the tube between the car at a giventime and a given cutoff device or gate. The inlet members maybedeflected at an angle as shown as at 16 in order that the influence ofthe fluid may be more readily directed for producing the resultsrequired. It will of course be understood that the system is operatedwith a plurality of tubes extending throughout the entirev lengththereof in parallel relation or 1n given instances be constructed as abelt line, in any event the cars will travel in a given direction ineach tube.

Rollers designated 21 may be located lat frequent intervals in the tube,and a car coming in contact therewith will pass freely through the ductwithout any unnecessary friction.

`Valves 23 are provided whose stem heads 24 are adapted to be engaged bythe car 20, as it approaches the same, to let compressed air or motivefluid in behind the car and thereby impel the car forwardly, it being,of course, understood that the air pressure in advance of the car isalways lower than that behind the car, due to the provision` of thegates 18, which open in one direction only, hence the car willv be movedin the one direction only.

It will, of course, .be understood that the drawings do not attempt todisclose specific details of construction but are largely diagrammaticfor the purpose of illustrating the invention.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it is thought the construction and operation of the inventionwill be clear to y closely conform to the` tunnel-Way, one-Way gatesarranged as cut offs inthe tunnel- Way and adapted to be engaged andseparated by thel nose 'of the car, as it approaches the same, meanstending to close the gates, and means for admitting motive fluid intothe tunnel-Way through the walls thereof at intervals, said meansincluding ducts having their discharge ends arranged for admitting themotive uid at an inclination to the direction of travel of the car, andcontrol devices for the several ducts,

each having operating stems projected into the tunne1-Way and adapted tobe opened by engagement of the nose of the carl with the same and heldopened While the car passes the saine, whereby to admit the motive fluidand cause it to impact the rear of .thecar as the car passes thedischarge ends of the ducts, substantially as shown and described.

In-testimony whereof I aiix my signature JAMES ooNLoN.

